Galesburg Reporter

Two Republican incumbents are squaring off in the upcoming primary to represent the new 15th Congressional District in Illinois, but only one has received the backing of State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy).

Tracy has endorsed U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, who currently represents the 13th District, in the June 28 Republican primary. 

"Rodney is known for constituent service and that is what I think is really important, whether it be our U.S. representatives or our state representatives, that they do constituent service," Tracy said in a recent interview with the Herald-Whig. "And we will have someone we can go to about federal issues and I know Rodney Davis is that person."

Davis touted his endorsements on social media and even said he was "proud of the support" his campaign has received from Republican leaders across the district thus far. 

In a recent Facebook post, Davis said he has proven to be able to move conservative policies along and get the job done in Washington, but there is more that still needs to be accomplished. He added, "I'd be honored to have your vote in this election."

Davis spoke about his Second Amendment views during a visit to Quincy in early June.

The congressman talked about the recent shootings and his own experience from five years ago when someone opened fire on members of Congress during a baseball game, a report from WGEM said. Davis said he is licensed to carry in Illinois but couldn't legally carry the weapon from Washington, D.C., to Virginia that morning. He recalled his first thoughts being how he wished he had his weapon.

Tracy noted that Davis' knowledge of the issues impacting the district was one of the reasons why she supports him, a report from St. Louis Public Radio said this week. She also said the decision to endorse him was an easy one because she had worked with him previously. She added that she doesn't believe Rep. Mary Miller—the other GOP candidate—is a poor choice, commenting that both candidates "espouse many of the core values" of the people living in her district. Some of those values include their views against abortion and favor for fiscal conservativeness, limited government and 2nd Amendment rights.